Syracuse's Smith named Saints quarterbacks coach

The St. Lawrence University football team has added Alex Smith, formerly an assistant coach at Syracuse University, to the coaching staff for the upcoming 2014 season.

Smith, who threw for over 6,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in his playing career at SUNY Cortland, will coach the Saints' quarterbacks after Tom Blumenauer accepted a position at Endicott College.

"We are very excited to add Alex to our coaching staff," said Saints' head coach Mark Raymond, whose team is coming off of its first seven-win season since 1982 and a second place finish in the Liberty League (5-2). "He brings with him a great offensive background and passion for the game of football."

Smith finished his playing career at Cortland in 2009 and became an assistant coach at his alma mater for three seasons. He worked at the College at Brockport in the spring of 2012 before accepting an offensive assistant position with Syracuse University. He worked with the quarterbacks and tight ends for the Orange, including New York Giants draft pick Ryan Nassib.

A 2008 graduate of SUNY Cortland, Smith earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology. He will work alongside incumbent starter Mike Lefflbine '15, who earned Second Team All-Liberty League honors last season. St. Lawrence quarterbacks completed 172-of-318 passes for 1,825 yards and 20 touchdowns in the fall of 2013.